Method, apparatus and storage medium for customizing application

ABSTRACT

An application registers a first component used by the application with a customizing mechanism, and a component setting unit notifies the customizing mechanism of a second component corresponding to the first component. In accordance with changeover of the second component corresponding to the first component by the component setting unit, the first component executes process using the second unit after the second unit has been changed over.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and storage mediumfor customizing an application.

2. Description of the Related Art

Applications for implementing functions using components exist. Suchapplications include one in which the components used can be changedover (e.g., see the specifications of Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open Nos. 6-4477 and 3-164934). There are also techniques in whicha plug-in mechanism is used in order to extend the functionality of aplatform (e.g., see the specification of WO 04/028182).

With the methods disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos.6-4477 and 3-164934, the application side need not know when a componenthas been changed over. Conversely, however, since the componentchangeover timing cannot be determined, processing requiring executionin accordance with the component changeover cannot be executed. Forexample, when the component changeover is executed the application isnot able to discard an old component and create a new component. Also,in a case where a new component is a component that provides a GUI, theapplication is not able to render a screen again using this component.

If the software structure is one that merely changes over a callpointer, there may be little need for processing conforming to suchcomponent changeover. However, in the case of an objected-orientedsoftware structure, there is an interaction between an application and acomponent and between one component and another and it becomes necessaryto execute some process in accordance with component changeover.

Conventionally, in instances where continuing to use an old componentleads to problems, an operation such as re-booting the application afterthe component changeover is performed to thereby dispense with the oldcomponent and use the new component.

More specifically, it has not been possible to achieve both dynamicchangeover of components, in which a component is changed over with theapplication running as it is, and execution of process responsive to thecomponent changeover. The same holds true with regard to the techniqueusing the plug-in mechanism disclosed in WO 04/028182.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention enables realization of processing conforming tochangeover of a component even if an application cannot ascertain thedetails of the component changeover.

One aspect of the present invention provides a method of customizing anapplication comprising the steps of: registering, in an application, afirst component used by the application with a customizing mechanism;notifying, in a component setting unit, the customizing mechanism of asecond component corresponding to the first component; and executing, inthe first component, process using the second component after achangeover thereof, in accordance with changeover of the secondcomponent corresponding to the first component by the component settingunit.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus forcustomizing an application, comprising: a setting unit configure to seta second component corresponding to a first component used by anapplication; and a notification unit configure to notify the firstcomponent of the second component that has been set; wherein the firstcomponent comprises a unit configure to execute process using the secondcomponent after a changeover thereof, in accordance with changeover ofthe second component corresponding to the first component.

Still another aspect of the present invention provides a storage mediumstoring a computer program for customizing an application, wherein thecomputer program comprises the steps of: registering a first componentused by the application with a customizing mechanism; notifying thecustomizing mechanism of a second component corresponding to the firstcomponent; and executing process using the second component after achangeover thereof, in accordance with changeover by a component settingunit of the second component corresponding to the first component.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the inventionand, together with the description, serve to explain the principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration ofan information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of aninformation processing apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application list;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main-componentcorrespondence table;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure executed by anapplication to register a main component used;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a component registration procedureexecuted by a main component;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a main-component setting procedureexecuted by a component setting unit;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a sub-component setting procedureexecuted by a component setting unit;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a sub-component setting procedureexecuted by a customizing mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a sub-component setting procedureexecuted by a main component;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a main-component object creationprocedure executed by a customizing mechanism;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure executed by acustomizing mechanism for creating a sub-component object;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of display of amain-component selection page; and

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of display of asub-component selection page.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described indetail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that therelative arrangement of the components, the numerical expressions andnumerical values set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scopeof the present invention unless it is specifically stated otherwise.

The configuration of an information processing apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention will be described with reference tothe block diagram of FIG. 1. The information processing apparatus may beimplemented by a single computer or upon dispersing various functionsamong multiple computers as necessary. In a case where the apparatus iscomposed of multiple computers, the computers would be interconnected asby a local area network (LAN) so as to be capable of communicating withone another.

An information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes acustomizing mechanism 101 that implements a function for customizingapplication software (shortened to “application” below) by componentchangeover; an application management framework 102 for managing theapplication; a component setting unit 103 for setting a component at thetime of component changeover or at the initial setting of a component;and a storage unit 107 for storing various lists and tables, describedlater.

An application 110 is the unit of management of the applicationmanagement framework 102. The application management framework 102installs one to a plurality of applications 110 in the informationprocessing apparatus 100 and performs overall life-cycle managementinclusive of start, terminate and un-install.

A main component 115 is a software component, and the application 110 iscapable of using this software component.

A software component is a group of programs and performs functions ofsome kind. If viewed from a program on the side that employs thisprogram, the program, which implements a certain function, is acomponent. When a certain system is implemented, it is essential that aninterface be clearly determined in order that the component will be onethat is easy to use. A component therefore usually takes on a formgenerally referred to as a module, subroutine or class, etc.

A sub-component 117 is a software component, and the main component 115is capable of using the sub-component 117.

One to a plurality of main components 115, one to a plurality ofsub-components 117 or combinations thereof are all units of managementof the application management framework 102. The application managementframework 102 is capable of installing one to a plurality of maincomponents 115, one to a plurality of sub-components 117 or combinationsthereof in the information processing apparatus 100 and of un-installingthe same. Since they are components, they are not started or terminatedby the application management framework 102. If installed, however, theycan be used from within the application 110. Even if the application 110does not use the sub-component 117 directly, it can use it indirectlythrough the main component 115.

The hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100in this embodiment is as illustrated in the block diagram of FIG. 2.

In FIG. 2, a central processing unit (CPU) 201 controls the overallapparatus. A ROM 202 stores various operation programs in readable form,and a RAM 203 is used to store temporary values during the running of aprogram. A timer 204 measures various times, and a display 205 displaysa user interface. Input unit 206 such as a keyboard and mouse areprovided, and a non-volatile flash ROM 207 stores various set-datafiles. A network interface 208 is for making a connection to an externaldevice. A hard disk 209 stores various operation programs and set-datafiles.

The component setting unit 103 corresponds to the display 205 and inputunit (operating button) 206. The customizing mechanism 101 andapplication management framework 102 are functions loaded into the RAM203 from the hard disk 209 as necessary and are implemented by beingexecuted by the CPU 201. The storage unit 107 corresponds to a partialstorage area of the hard disk 209 or RAM 203. The application 110, maincomponent 115 and sub-component 117 are programs and data stored in thehard disk 209 or RAM 203.

Next, reference will be had to the flowchart of FIG. 5 to describe aprocedure executed by the application 110 to register a main componentused. This registration procedure is executed attendant uponinstallation or start-up of the application 110.

First, the application 110 acquires an object of the customizingmechanism 101 (S801). This is achieved by requesting the customizingmechanism 101 for acquisition of the object.

Next, the application 110 acquires an application ID from theapplication management framework 102 (step S802). The application ID isfor distinguishing the application 110 per se from other applications. Aplurality of the applications 110 can be installed in the informationprocessing apparatus 100, as described above. The application managementframework 102 endows each application with an application ID to therebyidentify the application. The application 110 is capable, at any time,of acquiring the application ID that has thus been assigned to itself.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application list 300indicating a list of applications 110 that have been installed in theinformation processing apparatus 100. The application list 300 has beenstored in the storage unit 107.

When applications 110 are installed, the names of the applications 110are stored under an application-name item 310 in the application list.The application IDs that have been assigned to these applications arestored under an application-ID item 320. When there is a request for anapplication ID from an application 110, the application managementframework 102 refers to the application list 300 and replies with thecorresponding application ID.

Next, along with the application ID, the application 110 registers thename of the main component used by the application and the maincomponent type with the customizing mechanism 101 (S803). Registrationis performed by calling the method of the object of the customizingmechanism 101 obtained at S801. In this embodiment, request ornotification from one software block (e.g., application 110) to anothersoftware block (e.g., the customizing mechanism 101) is carried out bycalling the object method. Although this is a method in line with anobject-oriented architecture, it may be performed by another method suchas calling of a function, pipe communication or socket communication,and the present invention is not limited to an object-orientedarchitecture.

The main-component name and main-component type registered by theabove-described procedure for registering a main component used arestored in a main-component correspondence table 600 shown in FIG. 4. Themain-component correspondence table 600 is provided for everyapplication 110 and is stored in the storage unit 107.

In order to indicate what a main-component name and main-component typeare, an example using Java language [Java is the trademark or registeredtrademark of Sun Microsystems Inc. (USA) in the USA and other countries]is illustrated. The following is code (referred to as “Code 1” below)relating to main-component object generation in the application 110:

-   -   AbstractPanel        panel=(AbstractPanel)customize.createComponent(appID, “panel1);

A main-component name is a name for identifying a main-component objectseen from the application 110. In Code 1, panel1 is the name.

A main-component type is information representing the type of maincomponent 115 but need not be the real type of the component. In asystem constructed in such a manner that the application 110 andcomponent are not dependent upon each other in the first place, theapplication 110 naturally does not know the real type of the component.Accordingly, if the language is Java language, then the main-componenttype may be an abstract type, such as an interface or abstract class. InCode 1, AbstractPanel corresponds to this main-component type.

In this case, as to what the main component per se is, if focus isplaced on type information, then it is the Java class, which implementsthe main-component type. If focus is placed on the aspect of substanceat the time of execution, then it is a Java instance.

When the main-component name and main-component type are registered atS803, the customizing mechanism 101 stores the given main-component nameunder main-component name item 610 in main-component correspondencetable 600. Furthermore, the customizing mechanism 101 stores the givenmain-component type under main-component type item 620.

Next, reference will be had to the flowchart of FIG. 6 to describe acomponent registration procedure executed by the main component 115.This procedure is executed attendant upon installation of the maincomponent 115.

First, the main component 115 acquires the object of the customizingmechanism 101 (S901).

Next, the main component 115 registers its own main-component class andmain-component type with the customizing mechanism 101 (S902). Themain-component class name is a name indicating the implementing type ofthe main component 115. The customizing mechanism 101 stores theregistered main-component class name and main-component type under amain-component class name item and main-component type item in amain-component list, not shown. The main-component list has been storedin the storage unit 107.

Next, using its own main-component class name as a parameter, the maincomponent 115 registers the sub-component name and type used by the maincomponent 115 with the customizing mechanism 101 (S903).

The customizing mechanism 101 stores the registered sub-component nameand sub-component type under a sub-component class name item andsub-component type item in a sub-component correspondence table, notshown. The sub-component correspondence table is provided for every maincomponent 115 and has been stored in the storage unit 107.

In other words, hereafter the terminology relating to the sub-component117 is made to correspond that of the main-component name,main-component type and main-component class name, and the counterpartswill be referred to as “sub-component name”, “sub-component type” and“sub-component class name”. Further, the relationship between the maincomponent 115 and sub-component correspondence table is similar to therelationship between the application 110 and main-componentcorrespondence table 600.

The following illustrates an example of code (referred to as “Code 2”)at the time of generation of the sub-component 117 in the main component115:

-   -   AbstractSubPanel        subpanel=(AbstractSubPanel)customize.createSubComponent        (“SimplePanel”, “subpanel1”);

Here subpanel1 is the sub-component name and AbstractSubPanel is thesub-component type. SimplePanel is the main-component class name foridentifying the main component 115.

Next, the main component 115 determines whether its own installationpackage (the unit of installation by the application managementframework 102) contains the sub-component 117 (S904).

If it is determined that the package has the sub-component 117, then themain component 115 registers the sub-component class name andsub-component type of the contained sub-component 117 with thecustomizing mechanism 101 (S905).

The customizing mechanism 101 stores the registered sub-component classname and sub-component type under a sub-component class name item andsub-component type item of a sub-component list, not shown.

Next, a procedure executed by the sub-component 117 to register acomponent will be described. This procedure assumes a case where thesub-component 117 is located in an installation package different fromthat of the main component 115. The procedure is executed attendant uponinstallation of the sub-component 117. It should be noted that in a casewhere the sub-component 117 is located in the installation package ofthe main component 115, it is registered at S905 of FIG. 6, as describedabove.

First, the sub-component 117 acquires the object of the customizingmechanism 101. Next, the sub-component 117 registers the possessedsub-component class name and sub-component type with the customizingmechanism 101. These are stored in the above-mentioned sub-componentlist in a manner similar to that described above.

Next, reference will be made to the flowchart of FIG. 7 to describe aprocedure executed by the component setting unit 103 to set a maincomponent.

The component setting unit 103 performs various settings utilizing auser interface displayed on the display 205. For example, althoughsetting is performed using a web browser, the present invention is notlimited to this example. Specifically, the component setting unit 103sends a remotely located external computer (external device) a web page(screen information) for a setting operation and causes the web page tobe displayed on the external computer. Information indicating a maincomponent or sub-component selected using the external computer isreceived by the component setting unit 103 and the selected maincomponent or sub-component is set as a changed-over main component orsub-component.

In the procedure for setting a main component, first the user selectsthe application 110 for which the main component 115 is to be set(S1101). Specifically, at this time the user performs a settingoperation using an application list screen displayed on the display 205.An application list is displayed in the application list screen. Thecustomizing mechanism 101 extracts and acquires application names fromthe application list 300 registered with the customizing mechanism 101.The application names acquired are displayed on the application listscreen. The user selects one application 110 from the displayedapplication list and presses a setting button.

Based on the application 110 selected by the user, the customizingmechanism 101 displays a page that allows selection of the maincomponent 115. An example of display of a main-component selectionscreen 1901 is illustrated in FIG. 13. In FIG. 13, a list 1902 of namesof main components used by the selected application 110 is displayed,and so are names 1903 of classes of main components that have beenselected in correspondence with respective ones of the names of the maincomponents.

The list 1902 of main-component names is acquired from main-componentname 610 in main-component correspondence table 600 of FIG. 4 registeredby the application. Although the main-component class name 1903 that hasbeen selected is acquired from the main-component class name 630 in thesame table, nothing will have been registered under main-component classname 630 when a setting is first made. Accordingly, the display of themain-component class name 1903 that has been selected is blankinitially. However, the main-component class for which themain-component type is the same as the main-component type 620 and whichhas been registered in the main-component list at the time ofinstallation of the main component is a selection candidate for themain-component class to be registered. This main-component class name isembedded in the web page, which is transmitted from the customizingmechanism 101, as the selection candidate for the main-component classto be registered in the selected application 110. For example, themain-component type corresponding to the main-component name panel1 isAbstractPanel, which is found by referring to the main-component type620 in FIG. 4. Further, as a result of the processing at S902 in FIG. 6,it is assumed that SimplePanel and FancyPanel have been stored in themain-component list (not shown) as main-component class namescorresponding to the main-component type AbstractPanel. In such case,SimplePanel and FancyPanel are the selection candidates, and the usercan select one of these by operating a list box in the web page.

By using the user interface set forth above, the user selects, withregard to each main-component name, the main-component class nameactually used (S1102).

If a “CONFIGURE” button 1904 is pressed by the user, then the componentsetting unit 103 notifies the customizing mechanism 101 of theapplication ID of the selected application 110 and of the selectedmain-component class name that corresponds to each main-component name(S1103).

The main-component setting procedure executed by the customizingmechanism 101 at this time will be described next. The customizingmechanism 101 accepts the application ID and the main-component classname that corresponds to each main-component name from the componentsetting unit 103.

The customizing mechanism 101 obtains the corresponding main-componentcorrespondence table 600 from the application ID and stores the acceptedmain-component class name under the main-component class name 630corresponding to each main-component name.

Next, reference will be had to the flowchart of FIG. 11 to describe amain-component object creation procedure executed in the customizingmechanism 101. It is the application 110 that requests creation of themain-component object. A typical example of this creation request is theabove-mentioned Code 1.

First, with the application ID and main-component name serving asparameters, the customizing mechanism 101 accepts the request formain-component creation (S1601).

Next, the customizing mechanism 101 acquires the correlatedmain-component class name from the application ID and main-componentname (S1602). This is performed using the main-component correspondencetable 600.

The customizing mechanism 101 creates the object of the class indicatedby the main-component class name that has been obtained (S1603).

The customizing mechanism 101 sends the created object back to theapplication 110 (S1604).

Next, reference will be had to the flowchart of FIG. 8 to describe asub-component setting procedure executed by the component setting unit103.

First, the user selects the main component 115 for which thesub-component 117 is to be set (S1201). Specifically, at this time ascreen of the list of main-component class names manipulated by the useris displayed on the display 205 as a result of the customizing mechanism101 extracting and obtaining main-component classes from themain-component list. As a result of the processing at S902 in FIG. 6 atthe time of installation of the main component, main-component classnames and main-component types have been stored in the main-componentlist. The user selects one main component 115 from the list ofmain-component class names displayed on the screen of the list ofmain-component class names and then presses the setting button.

Based on the main component 115 selected by the user, the customizingmechanism 101 displays a page that allows the sub-component 117 to beselected next. FIG. 14 illustrates an example of display of asub-component selection page 2101. In FIG. 14, a list 2102 of names ofsub-components used by the selected main component 115 is displayed, andso are names 2103 of classes of sub-components that have been selectedin correspondence with respective ones of the names of thesub-components.

The list 2102 of sub-component names is acquired from the sub-componentname item of the sub-component correspondence table of the maincomponent registered in the step S903 of FIG. 6 when the main componentis installed. Although the sub-component class name 2103 that has beenselected is acquired from the sub-component class name item in the sametable, there are occasions where nothing will have been registered undersub-component class name item when a setting is first made. In such casethe display of the sub-component class name 2103 that has been selectedis blank initially. However, the sub-component class for which thesub-component type is the same as the sub-component type item registeredwith the sub-component correspondence table and which has beenregistered with the sub-component list at the time of installation is aselection candidate for the sub-component class to be registered. Thissub-component class name is embedded in the web page, which istransmitted from the customizing mechanism 101, as the selectioncandidate for the sub-component class to be registered with the selectedmain component 115. The sub-component name and the sub-component typeused by the main-component are registered with sub-componentcorrespondence table. For example, it is assumed that what has beenregistered as the sub-component type corresponding to the sub-componentsubpanel1 is AbstractSubPanel, which is found by referring to thesub-component type item in sub-component correspondence table. Further,if reference is had to the sub-component list, SimpleSubPanel andFancySubPanel exist as sub-component class names corresponding to thesub-component type AbstractSubPanel. In such case, SimpleSubPanel andFancySubPanel are the selection candidates, and the user can select oneof these by operating the list box in the web page.

By using the user interface set forth above, the user selects, withregard to each sub-component name, the sub-component class name actuallyused (S1202).

If a “CONFIGURE” button 2104 is pressed by the user, then the componentsetting unit 103 notifies the customizing mechanism 101 of themain-component class name indicating the selected main component 115 andof the selected sub-component class name that corresponds to eachsub-component name (S1203).

The sub-component setting procedure executed by the customizingmechanism 101 at this time will be described next with reference to theflowchart of FIG. 9.

The customizing mechanism 101 accepts the main-component class name andthe sub-component class name that corresponds to each sub-component namefrom the component setting unit 103 (S1401).

The customizing mechanism 101 obtains the corresponding sub-componentcorrespondence table, which was registered at the time of installationof the main component, from the main-component class name. Thecustomizing mechanism 101 then stores the accepted sub-component classname under the sub-component class name item corresponding to eachsub-component name of the sub-component correspondence table (S1402).

The customizing mechanism 101 notifies the main-component class, whichis indicated by this main-component class name, of the sub-componentname that has been set or updated (S1403).

Reference will be had to the flowchart of FIG. 10 to describe asub-component setting procedure executed by the main component 115 atthis time.

First, the main component 115 accepts the sub-component name from thecustomizing mechanism 101 (S1501).

Next, the main component 115 requests the customizing mechanism 101 toagain create an object corresponding to this sub-component name (S1502).The specific procedure for creating the object of the sub-component 117will be described later.

Although, in the above example, the object of the sub-component 117 iscreated by the customizing mechanism 101, the main component 115 maycreate it. In that case, the procedure of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are changedas following. In the step S1403 of FIG. 9 the customizing mechanism 101notifies the main component class of the sub-component name and thesub-component class name. In the step S1501 of FIG. 10 the maincomponent 115 receives the sub-component name and the sub-componentclass name from the customizing mechanism 101. Furthermore, in the stepS1502, the main component 115 creates the object of the sub-component.

After the sub-component 117 has been created again, the main component115 executes processing necessary in accordance with this re-creation ofthe sub-component (S1503). Specifically, in a case where there is achangeover from a sub-component 117 a to a sub-component 117 b andobjects of the sub-component 117 a all become unnecessary after thechangeover, the main component 115 executes processing to discard theobjects of the sub-component 117 a. Alternatively, the main component115 replaces the content of a variable holding an object of thesub-component 117 a with the component of the sub-component 117 b andexecutes processing using the sub-component 117 b after the changeover.Furthermore, in a case where the GUI provided by the sub-component 117 aand the GUI provided by the sub-component 117 b differ, the maincomponent 115 executes re-rendering processing in order to render ascreen using a new GUI.

In this embodiment, processing conforming to component changeover isexecuted only when a sub-component is changed over. However, theabove-described processing may also be applied when a main component ischanged over.

Here the above-mentioned necessary processing executed when thesub-component 117 is changed over will be described with reference tospecific examples of a sub-component.

A first example is assumed to be an example of a SimpleSubPanel andFancySubPanel mentioned above. SimpleSubPanel is a sub-panel having asimple external appearance, and FancySubPanel is a sub-panel in whichthe external appearance of the panel is provided with embellishment. Inthis case, if the sub-panel is changed, it is necessary to executescreen re-rendering processing in order to notify the user of the factthat a change was made. A button component, etc. having a differentexternal appearance falls within this example.

A second example is an example of a panel component displayedinformation relating to the user that is logging in system now. Assumethat the maximum number of simultaneous log-ins to the system is one.When a certain user has logged in, a changeover to the panel componentfor this user should be made. Processing that acquires user informationfor displaying on the panel component becomes necessary. In other words,this processing is initialization processing for the component.

A third example is an example of a case where processing for passinginformation from an old component to a new component is executed,although this processing is similar to the above-mentionedinitialization processing. For instance, in a case where a changeoverfrom an old text field to a new text field is made, processing isexecuted for acquiring text data that has been input to the old textfield and setting this data in the new text field.

A fourth example is an example in which resource-close, so to speak, isperformed to stop the use of resources that an old software componenthas used thus far. For instance, a conceivable example is one in whichin a case where an old software component (not limited to a GUIcomponent, and a case where a component is a computation algorithmcomponent is also possible) was using a resource such as a repository ordatabase, the resource that was being used up to that point is closed orshut down at the time of the changeover to the new software component.

Next, reference will be had to the flowchart of FIG. 12 to describe aprocedure executed by the customizing mechanism 101 for creating asub-component object. It is the main component 115 that requestscreation of the sub-component object. At S1502 in FIG. 10, the maincomponent 115 requests the customizing mechanism 101 to again create anobject corresponding to the sub-component name. A typical example ofthis creation request is the above-mentioned Code 2.

First, the customizing mechanism 101 accepts the sub-component creationrequest with the main-component class name and sub-component nameserving as parameters (S1701).

Next, the customizing mechanism 101 acquires the correlatedsub-component class name from the main-component name and sub-componentname (S1702). This is performed using the sub-component correspondencetable registered at installation of the main component.

The customizing mechanism 101 creates the object of the class indicatedby the sub-component class name that has been obtained (S1703).

The customizing mechanism 101 sends the created object back to the maincomponent 115 (S1704).

By way of the procedures of FIGS. 10 and 12, the main component 115changes over a sub-component 117 and performs an operation using a newsub-component 117 in place of the old sub-component 117. Alternatively,preparations for performing an operation can be made. It is obvious thatonce such a state has been established, the new sub-component 117 willbe used if the application 110 uses the main component 115. Theforegoing procedures are attained without re-booting the application110.

In the embodiment described above, an application manages amain-component name, which is capable of identifying a main component,and a main-component class name, which serves as identificationinformation in terms of implementing the main component, in associationwith each other, and updates the main-component class name if the maincomponent is changed over. In response to method for the applicationuses main-component name, the main component is generated based upon themain-component class name after updating, and processing conforming tothe changeover of the main component is executed.

In accordance with the above-described embodiment, therefore, anapplication can implement dynamic changeover of a component even if itdoes not know whether the component changeover happens, and it ispossible to execute processing conforming to the changeover of thecomponent.

Each of the means and steps constituting the embodiment of the presentinvention described above, can be implemented by running a program thathas been stored in a RAM or ROM of a computer. The program and acomputer-readable recording medium on which the program has beenrecorded fall within the scope of the present invention.

Further, the present invention is capable of being worked as, forexample, a system, apparatus, method, program or recording medium.Specifically, the present invention may also be applied to an apparatuscomprising a single device.

The present invention includes a case where it is attained also bysupplying a software program, which implements the functions of theforegoing embodiment, directly or remotely to a system or apparatus,reading the supplied program with a computer of the system or apparatus,and then executing the program.

Accordingly, since the functional processing of the present invention isimplemented by computer, the program codes per se installed in thecomputer also implement the invention. In other words, the presentinvention also covers a computer program per se that is for the purposeof implementing the functional processing of the invention. In thiscase, so long as the system or apparatus has the functions of theprogram, the form of the program, for example, object code, a programexecuted by an interpreter or script data supplied to an operatingsystem, etc., does not matter.

Further, the functions of the embodiment are implemented by having acomputer execute a program that has been read. In addition, an operatingsystem or the like running on the computer performs all or a part of theactual processing based upon the indications in the program. Thefunctions of the foregoing embodiment can be implemented by thisprocessing as well.

Furthermore, as an example of another method, first a program that hasbeen read from a recording medium is written to a memory provided on afunction expansion board inserted into the computer or provided in afunction expansion unit connected to the computer. A CPU or the likeprovided on the function expansion board or function expansion unitperforms some or all of the actual processing based upon the indicationsin the program, and the functions of the foregoing embodiment areimplemented by this processing.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2007-196014, filed on Jul. 27, 2007, which is hereby incorporated hereinby reference herein in its entirety.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A method of customizing an application in which afirst component used by the application and a second component used bythe first component are registered with a customizing mechanism, themethod comprising steps of: notifying, by a component setting unit, thecustomizing mechanism of changeover of a plurality of second componentsused by the first component; and executing, in accordance withchangeover of a second component used by the first component, processingusing an object created, by the customizing mechanism which has receivedthe notification, based on the second component after the changeoverthereof.
 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein: abstract typesof the first component used by the application and abstract types of thesecond component used by the first component are registered with thecustomizing mechanism; the method further comprises causing thecustomizing mechanism to hold a relationship between abstract types andreal types of respective components; the notifying step comprisesnotifying the customizing mechanism of the changeover of real types ofthe plurality of second components managed by the first component; andthe executing step comprises executing, in accordance with thechangeover of a real type of the second component used by the firstcomponent, the processing using the object created, by the customizingmechanism which has received the notification, based on the real type ofthe second component after the changeover.
 23. The method according toclaim 22, further comprising executing, when the real type of the secondcomponent after the changeover thereof is notified from the customizingmechanism to the first component, processing using the object of thesecond component after the changeover thereof.
 24. The method accordingto claim 22, further comprising rendering, in accordance with thechangeover, by the component setting unit, of the real type of thesecond component managed by the first component, a display screen usingthe object of the second component after the changeover.
 25. The methodaccording to claim 22, wherein: an identifier corresponding to thesecond component used by the first component is registered with thecustomizing mechanism; the notifying step comprises notifying thecustomizing mechanism of the real type of the second componentcorresponding to the registered identifier; and the executing stepcomprise executing, in accordance with the changeover, by the componentsetting unit, of the real type of the second component corresponding tothe identifier, the processing using the object created, by thecustomizing mechanism which has received the notification, based on thereal type of the second component after the changeover.
 26. The methodaccording to claim 22, wherein: an identifier corresponding to thesecond component used by the first component is registered with thecustomizing mechanism; the notifying step comprises notifying thecustomizing mechanism of the real type of the second component,corresponding to the registered identifier, which is selected from theplurality of the second components; and the executing step compriseexecuting, in accordance with the changeover, by the component settingunit, of the real type of the second component corresponding to theidentifier, the processing using the object created, by the customizingmechanism which has received the notification, based on the real type ofthe second component after the changeover.
 27. The method according toclaim 22, wherein: an identifier corresponding to the second componentused by the first component is registered with the customizingmechanism; the notifying step comprises transmitting to an outsideidentifiers of the plurality of the second components corresponding tothe registered identifier, receiving from the outside an identifier ofthe second component selected from the identifiers of the plurality ofsecond components, and notifying the customizing mechanism of theidentifier of the second component selected from the identifiers of theplurality of second components; and the executing step compriseexecuting, in accordance with the changeover of the selected identifierof the second component, the processing using the object created, by thecustomizing mechanism which has received the notification, based on thereal type of the second component after the changeover.
 28. The methodaccording to claim 22, wherein: types of the second component used bythe first component are registered with the customizing mechanism; thenotifying step comprises notifying the customizing mechanism of a classof the second component which has a type identical to a type of thesecond component used by the first component; the method furthercomprises, in accordance with the changeover of the class of the secondcomponent corresponding to the first component, creating, by thecustomizing mechanism, the object of the second component after thechangeover; and the executing step comprises executing using the objectcreated, by the customizing mechanism which has received thenotification, based on the real type of the second component after thechangeover.
 29. The method according to claim 21, wherein the firstcomponent is a main component and the second component is asub-component.
 30. The method according to claim 21, wherein the firstand second components are GUI components for rendering GUIs.
 31. Anapparatus for customizing an application in which a first component usedby the application and a second component used by the first componentare registered with a customizing mechanism, the apparatus comprising: acomponent setting unit configured to notify the customizing mechanism ofchangeover of a plurality of second components used by the firstcomponent; and an execution unit configured to execute, in accordancewith changeover of a second component used by the first component,processing using an object created, by the customizing mechanism whichhas received the notification, based on the second component after thechangeover thereof.
 32. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium storing a computer program for causing a computer to executesteps of a method of customizing an application in which a firstcomponent used by the application and a second component used by thefirst component are registered with a customizing mechanism, the methodcomprising steps of: notifying, by a component setting unit, thecustomizing mechanism of changeover of a plurality of second componentsused by the first component; and executing, in accordance withchangeover of a second component used by the first component, processingusing an object created, by the customizing mechanism which has receivedthe notification, based on the second component after the changeoverthereof.